Erie-Prophetstown runs away with crown

No catching Panthers

MORRISON – Rachel Cobert has been given a lot of responsibility for a freshman.

Cobert anchors three of Erie-Prophetstown's relays, but she certainly does not weigh them down.

Cobert helped the Panthers sweep all four relays en route to cruising to the team title at the girls Three Rivers Meet on Monday at Morrison High School.

"It's a lot of pressure," Cobert said of her anchor role. "Last year, in middle school, I only anchored the [1,600 relay]. Sometimes it's nerve-racking seeing all these other fast girls from other schools.

"It's hard, because they are older and have more experience than I do. It's becoming easier now, because it's practically a routine."

Erie-Prophetstown won 12 of the 18 events. The Panthers piled up 188 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Riverdale's total of 86.

The winning 800 relay group was the sisters Cobert and Rus, with Paige Rus joining the fun. They had a time of 1:47.41.

The Coberts and Paige Rus teamed with Corrie Reiley to win the 1,600 relay (4:07.50). Reiley was also on the winning 3,200 relay (10:47.85), with Kassi Henrekin, Breanna Jensen and Brooke Remley.

Courtney Cobert and the Ruses were all part of four wins. Rachel Cobert and Corrie Reiley were part of three.

"At the beginning of the year, coach kept telling us 'this many weeks till state,'" Courtney Cobert said. "We didn't really look toward it then because it seemed so far away. This past couple weeks it's coming into perspective that we have 2 weeks left, and we really need to push toward it. And, it's shown in our times."

Paige Rus also won the high (5-0) and triple (34-8) jumps, while Peyton Rus won the long jump (16-11 1/2) and 200 (26.85).

Courtney Cobert won the 100 (13.32) and Corrie Reiley the 800 (2:27.73). The Panthers' other wins came from Ashlynn Steel in the pole vault (7-0) and Jennifer Woodworth in the 3,200 (13:07.35).

"I was really nervous because my steps have been off lately," Steel said. "It's getting better. My speed was right tonight. Normally I've been having problems with that, but it felt really good tonight."

Bureau Valley distance star Regan Weidner won the 1,600 (5:30.27) for a second time.

"This is probably the best I've felt in a while," she said. "I had a hip injury right after indoor season and my times were nowhere near where they should have been. I missed 2 weeks, but finally last week at [Kewanee] I ran the mile fresh like I did today and saw some of my old self coming back."

Morrison's Lakin Goodman won the 400 (1:04.37), though she did not have to compete against Corrie Reiley or Bureau Valley's Lindsey Hoffert.

"When I saw that they weren't doing it, i thought, 'All right, I might have a chance,'" Goodman said. "I slowed down on the first 100 because I really wanted to work on my kick at the end."